Sunrise police chief to offer seminar

February 3, 2008|By Monique Mattiace Staff Writer

SUNRISE — A spurt of crime alarming residents in the 84 South neighborhood has captured the attention of the Police Department.

Responding to concerns about the area east of Weston Road and south of State Road 84, Police Chief James E. Brooks attended a recent City Commission meeting and announced an arrest and a plan of action: The department will hold a crime-prevention seminar soon.

"We need the citizens to be smart about things and help us," said Brooks, who will host the seminar.

In a two-month period that ended Jan. 21, there were eight auto break-ins, one auto theft and one home burglary in 84 South, according to a Police Department crime analysis.

At the Jan. 22 meeting, Brooks said police have arrested a suspect in the auto burglaries - Timothy Summers, 23, of Sunrise.

Brooks said police were still searching for a teenage, male accomplice.

Kirstein Parker, an 84 South resident recently victimized by crime, said she was impressed by the chief's appearance.

"I was totally surprised that they acted the way they did and that they actually cared," Parker said.

The seminar will be free and open to the public.

Brooks said unlocked vehicles account for a substantial number of break-ins.